Edwin Collier

The Reverend Edwin Collier FCA
Portrait fromFifty Years of Food Reform(1898)
Born	(1827-03-27)27 March 1827 Hulme,Manchester,England
Died	11 February 1899(1899-02-11)(aged 71) Manchester, England
Resting place	Weaste Cemetery,Salford, England
Occupation(s)	Accountant, deacon, activist
Spouse	Sarah Bennett ​ ​ (m.1854; died 1883)​
Children	4
Relatives	James Clark(brother-in-law)

Edwin CollierFCA(27 March 1827 – 11 February 1899) was an English accountant,Bible Christiandeacon, andvegetarianismactivist. He served as vice president and treasurer of theVegetarian Society.Collier also founded Edwin Collier, Tongue and Co., one of the largest accountancy firms outside of London.

Life and career

Edwin Collier was born on 27 March 1827 inHulme, Manchester,to George Collier (1799–1866) and Margaret Collier (née Gaskill; 1802–1850). His uncle was Rev. James Gaskill (1800–1870), a minister at theBible Christian Churchin Hulme and his grandfather, Peter Gaskill, was a founding member of the church.His sister was married to Rev.James Clark,a pastor of the church. Collier was avegetarianfrom birth, but was noted for being a heavytobaccosmoker.He was also a dedicatedteetotaller.

Collier grew up in Hulme and attended the Bible Christian Church School.He was also educated atRivington Grammar School.

Collier served as a cashier for manufacturers in theHuddersfieldcloth trade and worked in the Treasurer's Department of the Salford Corporation. Later, he became a partner inDavid ChadwickMP's accountancy firm.He founded the accountancy firm E. Collier, Tongue, and Co, which became one of the largest accountancy firms outside of London.Collier was also aFellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Collier was an active advocate for vegetarianism. He held the position of vice-president of theVegetarian Societyand was a supporter of the Health Exhibition. He advocated for a religious dimension to vegetarianism and served as a deacon in Bible Christian Church for 40 years. He was also involved in evening and Sunday schools.

TheYork Heraldreported on the Vegetarian Society's annual meeting in Manchester on 14 October 1881, where Collier served as chairman. TheManchester Couriernoted the 36th anniversary conference at the YMCA Hall in Manchester on 19 October 1883, which was presided over by Collier. TheExeter and Plymouth Gazettealso mentioned his role in chairing the Vegetarian Society conference in Exeter. According to theManchester Evening Newson 14 October 1886, the annual meeting was held at the Vegetarian Restaurant in Fountain Street, Manchester, where Collier was appointed treasurer. He was also a shareholder in the Vegetarian Restaurants Co. Ltd.

Collier died on 11 February 1899, aged 71, and was interred in the Collier family grave atWeaste Cemetery.His son Bennett went on to become achartered accountant.

Personal life

On 25 May 1854, Collier married Sarah Bennett at theHoly Trinity Church, Horwich.Sarah was born in 1832 inLostock, Bolton,to William and Betty Bennett.The Colliers had four children,who were all vegetarian. His wife was also vegetarian.She died on 12 November 1883 at the age of 52.